Chapter 329 - 134: Huh? I can do it in front of you, too?

Chapter 329: Chapter 134: Huh? I can do it in front of you, too?

’And then he sows discord in advance.’

’What a player!’

He gritted his teeth. "Father Emperor, rest assured! I am not a fool. How could I be so easily deceived? But please, Father Emperor, do not speak of the throne again. I am only participating in the mansion’s rivalries because I hope to prove my worth and share your burdens. I do not have the slightest improper thought about the throne."

"This..."

Zhao Huan smiled and shook his head. "There is no rush to think about this. I can hold on for a few more years. Perhaps your mind will change in the future. It’s just... sigh!"

Zhao Ci’s expression was pained. He said, unwilling to accept it, "Father Emperor! Do you really think Mother Consort has been replaced by someone from the Demon Sect?"

"I’m not certain!"

Zhao Huan looked worried. "Ci! I am telling you this only to make you more vigilant. Do not try to test her recklessly. If you arouse suspicion, you will only put yourself in danger. Your own safety must come first.

As for your Mother Consort’s identity, I will send people to investigate. If there really is something fishy going on, the risk should be mine to bear!

Let’s hope it’s just a false alarm..."

Zhao Ci hung his head low, his expression one of extreme anguish. In a muffled voice, he said, "I will remember! My own safety comes first."

"Excellent!"

Zhao Huan patted his shoulder, pleased. "Get some rest!"

[System Tip]: Wish fulfilled. Reward acquired: Comprehension +100, Incitement Talisman x1.

[Incitement Talisman]: Use on a target to double the provocative power of their words.

Zhao Ci felt a little helpless, but he still said reluctantly, "Farewell, Father Emperor!"

Then, he watched Zhao Huan fly away from the window.

’Hah...’

’Old Deng!’

’He doesn’t get it at all!’

’What a slick move. He remains noncommittal, tells me not to investigate, and just lets the seeds of doubt take root and grow wild, but I’m not allowed to show any sign of it. He also planted the subconscious idea that the Demon Sect excels at deception. Under these circumstances, how could I possibly believe the story about her being swapped out?’

’Too bad he’s out of touch with the current meta.’

’It’s already Season 13, and he’s still trying to play AP Master Yi?’

Zhao Ci shook his head and lay back down.

He tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

In the middle of the night, a commotion erupted at the Tenth Prince’s Mansion. Feng Kucha and Xiao Shenke had returned to their dwelling to find that something terrible had happened, and they were scared out of their wits.

Although the Imperial Clan Court had left word that Zhao Ci was safe and sound, how could they possibly listen to that?

’The owner of the dwelling was knocked unconscious by the Array, and Zhang Da Yong is still out cold. How could Zhao Ci possibly be okay?’

Feng Kucha, for one, couldn’t take it anymore.

After treating Zhang Da Yong’s injuries, he left him in Xiao Shenke’s care.

Then he commandeered a flying boat from the Feng Family.

And flew straight back.

The commotion he made on his return was so loud it woke up Zhu Li. Only then did she find out Zhao Ci was injured. The two of them burst into Zhao Ci’s bedroom and anxiously ran a bunch of checks on him. They both breathed a sigh of relief only after confirming he was unharmed.

Feng Kucha was sent back to get some sleep.

Zhu Li insisted on staying by his bedside, saying no one was allowed to harm her boss.

No matter how much Zhao Ci tried to shoo her away, she wouldn’t leave. He could only allow her to sleep on the lounge chair nearby, on the condition that no matter what happened, she was not to climb on top of him.

Soon after her head hit the lounge chair, Zhu Li fell into a sweet sleep, completely forgetting her duty to protect her boss’s safety.

She must have been having a bad dream, as her pretty face was filled with anxiety and worry. He guessed she was probably protecting her boss in her dreams.

’She’s a very restless sleeper.’

She changed positions every quarter of an hour on average.

Under the moonlight, she put on a varied display for Zhao Ci, showing off her surprisingly buxom figure.

It completely chased away any sleepiness Zhao Ci had.

For most of the night, he fantasized about Zhu Li changing into a Lolita outfit and sitting on top of him.

Just like in the dream.

「After a long time.」

Zhao Ci’s consciousness finally grew weary, and he drowsily drifted off to sleep.

In his sleep, one often doesn’t feel the passage of time.

Sometimes you only sleep for a moment, yet it feels like a lifetime has passed.

Other times you sleep for a long while, but it feels like only the blink of an eye.

Zhao Ci couldn’t tell, anyway.

He only felt that he had just fallen asleep when a warm, moist fragrance wafted across his face.

It smelled wonderful.

Very familiar.

He slowly opened his eyes and found himself looking directly into a pair of gentle eyes, as clear as autumn waters.

Above her head, two wishes continuously overlapped.

One was, "Kill him!"

The other was, "I must protect Zhao Ci!"

Zhao Ci’s head was buzzing.

’This is bad!’

’My little aunt has developed a split personality.’

’What do I do?’

"Ah? My dear sister..."

A look of joy appeared on his face, but he couldn’t help but glance back at Zhu Li and quickly explain, "Last night, Feng Kucha was worried about my safety and came back on a flying boat. Then Zhu Li was also worried I’d be assassinated, so she insisted on standing guard here."

Gu Xiangzhu let out a soft laugh and gently caressed his face. "You think I’d be jealous?"

"I..."

"As long as you give your heart to me, I wouldn’t mind even if you married this Xiaozhuli and that girl from the Kan Family."

"I will give my heart to you."

"Oh?"

A flicker of disappointment flashed in Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes. She forced a smile. "Really?"

"Really!"

Zhao Ci was a little excited. He took a deep breath and said, "Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I never found the right opportunity."

Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes brightened slightly. "Oh? What is it?"

"Actually..."

Zhao Ci’s expression was conflicted. "The thing is, I have another set of memories in my mind, memories that don’t belong to this world. All my recent changes, including my earlier suspicions of you, and even the Alchemy of Wine, are all related to these memories."

"Oh..."

Gu Xiangzhu’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to confess so readily.

’Has he completely let his guard down around me?’

’Or... did he realize I saw his dream and is now starting act three of his performance?’

’It doesn’t seem likely, though.’

’But this little villain has done so many seemingly impossible things before.’

She asked curiously, "These memories... could they be from a previous dynasty?"

Zhao Ci was noncommittal. "I don’t know either. I just feel that these memories are deeply rooted in my mind, making me feel like I’m from that place."

"Then what kind of person were you in that world? To have mastered a miraculous art like the Alchemy of Wine, your status surely couldn’t have been low, right?"

"Not really. I was just a commoner there, not poor, at best. It’s just that the land there was rich in resources and the Academy Palaces flourished, so even ordinary people could learn many useful things. Besides the Alchemy of Wine, there are other practical skills, they just aren’t as easy to monetize. If you like, I can tell you all about... Mmph—"

’Just like that.’

’We’re kissing?’

’Why is my little aunt being so forward?’

’Her lips seem especially warm and soft today.’

’She seems much more into it, too.’

’She didn’t even try to stop me.’

’Ah, this...’

On the soft couch, they embraced passionately.

Added to that were the scenes from the Joyful Dream flashing back in his mind.

He was clearly getting more and more worked up.

Until...

Gu Xiangzhu bit down hard on Zhao Ci’s lip. After he flinched back in pain, she gave him a resentful glare and pulled his hand out from inside her lapels.

Zhao Ci was a bit abashed and gave an awkward laugh.

"You..."

Gu Xiangzhu bit her full lips. "Do you want my body?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Ci was stunned.

’Wha-what is this situation?’

’Why is she suddenly throwing herself at me?’

He turned his head to glance at Zhu Li, who was sleeping soundly on the lounge chair.

’In front of Zhu Li?’

’What kind of fetish is this?’

Turning back, he saw Gu Xiangzhu looking at him with a beaming smile.

Above her head, the two subtitles were still frantically alternating.

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish]: Kill him. Reward for fulfillment: Comprehension +1000, Life-taking Curse x1.

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish]: I must protect Zhao Ci. Reward for fulfillment: Comprehension +1000, Amulet x1.

Zhao Ci: "..."

’So do you want to kill me or protect me?’

’Question.’

’My schizophrenic, older-sister-type girlfriend is asking if I want her, right in front of another woman.’

’What’s the right choice to make sure I survive?’

’Waiting for answers online.’

’It’s pretty urgent.’